As multi-disciplined engineering services company adi Group are all too well aware, the UK is still facing a skills shortage within the engineering sector, despite there being a rise in the number of 11-16 year olds stating they would ‘consider a career in engineering’*.

Latest figures show that we could be facing a shortfall of some 20,000 engineers year on year**. Helping to bridge this skills gap adi Group run several exciting schemes targeting young people, to show them what a career in engineering could look like and give them the opportunity to gain essential skills.

The group, which has over 30 specialist divisions has been supporting future engineers with initiatives that:

• encourage girls into the industry
• provide apprenticeship opportunities
• provide on-site, hands-on training and qualifications for 14-16 yearolds
• paint a positive picture of engineering.

Through their pre-apprenticeship scheme, adi give 14-16 year olds the opportunity to complete on-the-job GCSE engineering modules at their Kings Norton base.

To ensure all their apprentices fully engage with adi’s full time scheme, adi Group hosts the Apprentice of the Year awards which recognise those apprentices with a willingness to learn and the drive to go the extra mile.

Speaking of the wider skills gap within the industry and the duty that lies on engineering companies to help bridge it, Group Director, James Sopwith said: “Historically, as a nation we have failed to inspire sufficient people into what is a valuable, creative and rewarding profession, so it’s crucial we redress that balance by providing high-quality opportunities in a progressive working environment.”

And, it’s an issue which is important to all the employees at adi Group with engineers from across the group’s 11 UK and Irish operational bases already helping to steer thousands of pupils into the path of engineering by attending career fairs and other engineering awareness days.

For more information about the crucial work adi Group are doing to bridge the ever-widening skills gap within the engineering industry visit: www.adiltd.co.uk